Container construction



1968 a. T. BRANDER CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1966 INVENTOR. Geezer? TBRAwm ATTORNEVS 1968 ca. T. BRANDER CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1966 INVENTOR.

C-EORGE T. BRPxN DER ATFOELMEHJS Oct. 22, 1968 (5.1-. BRANDER CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 5, 1966 FIG. 4

lMfL/ENTOR. GEoI GE- BKANDER BY 0.11 a? M Anommevs G. T. BRANDER CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Oct. 22, 1968 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 3., 1966 H187 95 I as g Q i5 5 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

GEQRQE T BRANbER BY M K w. 4 MM ATTORNEIVS GM, 22, 3968 T BRANDER CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 3, 1966 m T N E V m GGIQRGETBRANDER BY w a? a). A. M

Amramsus Oct. 22, 1968 G. T. BRANDER 3,406,819

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 5, 1966 9 Sheets--Sheet 6 INVENTOR. ORGE T B'RAM DER BY f f NT ORNEUS Get. 22, 19 G. "r. BRANDER CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Feb. 5, 1966 GEORGE: T BRANDE'R BY QMJZ he HTVORNEYS @ct. 22, 968 (3. T. BRANDER 3,406,819

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 5, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

GEORGE T ERANDER 40., 1. w AITQRNWS Oct. 22, 1968 G. T. BRANDER 3,406,819

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 5, 1966 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. GsoraeQ T Bmmoea BY mxw FIG. 20

United States PatentO 3,406,819 CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION George T. Brantler, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Owens- Illinois, Inc., a corporation of Ohio Filed Feb. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 524,878

14 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application discloses a corrugated fibreboard container construction which'has utility in the packaging and shipment of television bulbs. The container features a parallelepiped-shaped shell and, located Within the shell, an array of normally horizontally disposed elongated tubular channel members, some of which extend laterally of the shell and others longitudinally, and define, with one another, a plurality of adjacent spaces for receiving and maintaining television bulbs in inverted relationship with respect to adjacent bulbs.'Certain of said channel members serve to supportthe funnel portions of the television bulbs while others of said channels have portions which are effectively but loosely, out of contact with the face-plates of the bulbs.

The present invention relates to a container construction. More particularly, this invention relates to thosecontainers which are more commonly known as shipping cartons. These. latter are usually fabricated of paper in the form of chipboard, solid fiber and, more particularly, corrugated board. Corrugated board, as well-known in the art, is composed of spaced facing sheets having, adhesively secured therebetween, a convoluted corrugating medium lending stiffness and considerable strength to the board, particularly in the. direction of the corrugations. I

The corrugated carton construction of the present invention has been designed to meet a particularpackaging use. Thus, the corrugated carton construction of the present invention is adapted, by reason of novel design and features of internal construction, to contain, and to maintain in isolated relationship, a plurality of television tube envelopes, hereinafter referred to as television bulbs.

Television bulbs are manufactured by the glass manufacturer and then desirably shipped to a purchaser who incorporates -therein the electronic gun and related equipment ,as will enable the assembly to be combined with a chassis for ultimate use as a television receiver. Television bulbs include a faceplate, (which is the component seen by the television viewer), a marginally connected funnel portion which projectsrearwardly, terminating in an elongate cylindrical neck portion. Television bulbs are frequently quite large, extremely unwieldy (by reason of the structureas described) and, consequently, difficult to package.

A common practice in packaging television bulbs is to place them in individual cartons. This, however, is wasteful of space, wasteful of corrugated board and is generally inefiicient. I

In is an object of the present invention to provide a corrugated carton container which is adapted to contain a plurality of television bulbs in such fashion that the individual bulbs are effectively isolated one from the other whereby the possibility of contact and resultant breakage is avoided. It is another object of the present invention to provide a container construction which, by reason of novel interior design, provides for location of adjacent television bulbs in inverted relationship whereby economy in space is achieved and, as well, economy of the material forming the container.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a corrugated carton construction which includes internal supporting channel members which are so configurated as to essentially immobilize the faceplate region of the television bulb while allow some freedom of motion for the neck portion.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a corrugated carton construction which embodies structural strength and, at the same time, is economical in terms of the amount of corrugated board used in the construction.

It is likewise an object of the present invention to provide a carton construction which features there-within an array of interlocking support members which, in addition to lending structural rigidity to the novel container, serves to support and essentially immobilize the television bulbs.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel supporting channel members of particular utility in that only two different types are necessary. Furthermore, the channels in each group may be interchanged with the same ones in that grouping.

The arrangement, provided by the internal structural members of the carton in the present invention wherein adjacent bulbs may be located in inverted relationship, results in an approximately 50% economy in space.

The above, as well as other objects of the present invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawings on which are presented, for purposes of illustration only and not limitation, several embodiments of the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective vie-w of the carton construction of the present invention shown in vertically exploded form for the purpose of more clearly ill'ustrating the interior arrangement of the support members, e.g., channels;

FIG. 2 is a similar exploded view, in dotted outline, with the outer carton elements eliminated to provide a basis for describing assembly of the interior carton components;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a scored and slotted blank, two-of which are used in forming the principal outer shell of the carton embodying the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank, slotted and scored, for use in forming one type of interior carton component, principally elongated support channels; five of which are employed in the carton of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical, partially sectional, view taker generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a planar blank slitted, cut and scored as to form, when folded together and stapled the second type of supporting channel member of whicl four are employed in erecting the carton of this invention FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG 6 shown partially folded in erected condition;

FIG. 8 is an edge view of the blank as shown ir FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG 7 folded over in a later stage of erection and with certair parts interlocked;

FIG. 10 is an edge view of the construction as showr in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the supporting chan' nel member shown in FIGS. 6-10 fully erected, staplec and adapted for incorporation into the carton construc tion of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an end view of the channel of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the blank shown it FIG. .4 partially folded into erected configuration;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the same blank 01 FIGS. 4 and 12 fully erected, stapled and adapted f0] incorporation into the carton of this invention;

FIG. is a partially perspective view showing an end of the one type of elongate support channel and the interengaging portion of the other type of support channel, said channels being slightly spaced apart;

FIG. 16 is also a perspective view showing the two components shown in FIG. 15 in assembled mating engagement;

FIG. 17 is a broken-away perspective view of portions of one type of channel members in back-to-back relationship and, situated thereabove, the mating segment of one of the second type of support channel;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the same parts as shown in FIG. 16 in engaged relationship;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of the underside of the two back-to-back support members of FIG. 17 about to engage the central portion of one of the second type of support channel; and

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 showing the two channels in engaged relationship.

In its simplest embodiment, the present invention envisions a corrugated carton construction featuring an outer shell which includes spaced side walls, end walls, a bottom wall spanning said side and end walls, a removable upper closure and, located within said shell, an array of elongated tubular channel members in perpendicular relationship and defining a plurality of adjacent spaces for receiving and maintaining television bulbs in inverted relationship with respect to adjacent envelopes; certain of said channels serving to support the funnel portion of the television bulbs while certain of said channels hold portions effectively but loosely out of contact with other bulbs. It is an additional feature of the carton construction of this invention that provision is made for the channel members to engage with one another to thereby reinforce the overall carton.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is disclosed in FIG. 1 a complete carton 20 of the present invention shown vertically exploded to reveal the interior construction. The carton 20 is composed of a rectangular shell 21, a bottom pad 22, a releasably engaging array of support channels 23, a top pad 26 and, lastly, a cap 27 which serves as a top closure. The carton shell 21 is shown in its usual shipping position mounted on a pallet or skid 29. The support channels 23 are of two types. Reference numerals 24a, 24b and 24c and 24d identify the four bulb support channels which extend from end wall to end wall and also from top to bottom. They feature cutaway portions (to be described) which support and confine the funnel portion of a television bulb. Reference numerals 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d and 25e identify the five neck support channels which are perpendicular to the bulb channels 24; neck channels 25a, 25b and 250 being generally below the bulb channels 24 while neck channels 25d and 25e are situated above the bulb channels.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 may be considered together for a better understanding of the relationship of the channel members and the television bulbs supported thereby in inverted relationship.

The shell 21 is formed by folding and taping together two of the blanks shown in FIG. 3. This blank 30 is generally rectangular and is formed of double wall corrugated board having corrugations running as indicated at cutaway 30a. It is provided with a longitudinal score foldline 31, a slit 32 proceeding from the bottom edge 33 to the foldline 31 and, from that point, another score foldline 34 in alignment therewith and proceeding to the'upper free edge 35. The foldline 31 separates panel 36, which forms one of the side walls of the shell, from panel 37, which forms a bottom wall of the ultimate carton when folded normal to panel 36. Panel 38, separated from panel 36 by a score foldline 34, forms one end wall of the shell, while panel 39, separated therefrom via foldline 31 when folded normally to panel 38, becomes a portion of the bottom wall. Panels 38 and 36 when folded normally to each other thus form one-half of the carton and when joined with another like half and taped, for example, at edges 40 to a like subassembly, form the complete rectangular shell 21. The tape joint is identified by the reference letter T in FIG. 1.

The bottom pad 22 is formed of a planar sheet of double wall corrugated board provided with three centrally located parallel score foldlines 42, 43 and 44 which, when reversely folded, form the central triangular (in section) ridge 45 shown in FIG. 1. The pad also contains three spaced parallel slits 45a extending between score foldline 42 and 44, which serve as guide slits for the three lowermost of the neck channels 25. Channels 25a and 25b are shown engaged by the slits 45, while the third neck channel 25c is shown in assembly with the bulb channels 24 in a manner to be described.

The neck channels 25a25e (five) are identically formed, as indicated hereinbefore, from identically cut and scored blanks.

The bulb channels 24 of which there are four, are located in spaced relationship as shown; the two outer of which fall along the side walls of the shell, while the centermost two are located in back-to-back relationship as shown. The neck channels 25a-25e are formed from the blank shown in knocked-down plan view in FIG. 4 and are foldably erected into channel configuration in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The blank 50 is rectangular and, like the other components of the carton construction of the present invention, formed of double wall corrugated board in which the corrugations run in the direction indicated in the cutaway section 50a. Spaced parallel perforated scores 51 and 51a on either side of the longitudinal axis of the blank 50 provide relative foldability of the two halves 52 and 53. The blank contains, proximate the central region, three spaced transverse cutouts 54, 55 and 56. The centermost cutout contains a slight bulge slot 55 on both side edges near the center, as at 57. Similarly, the closest edges of the adjacent slot cutouts 54 and 56 are bulged, as also identified by the reference numeral 57. Cutouts 58 and 59, similar to cutouts 54 and 56, are located near the end extremities of the blank 50. In a manner to be described, these cutouts define tongue or prong means which cooperatively mate with slots formed in the tube channel members 24. Reference numeral 60 defines pairs of perforated score lines which proceed angularly from the upper and lower free edges toward the cutouts 58 and 59 at each end. Reference numeral 61 defines full thickness cuts which define two major tabs 62 foldably connected to the blank via foldlines 63 and minor tabs 64 foldably connected to the blank via foldlines 65. The foldlines 63 extend laterally beyond cuts 61, that is, the full width of the blank 50. Another pair of full width foldlines 66 are spaced toward the center from the foldlines 63. Very short parallel foldlines 68 connect the slots 58 and 59 with the perforated scores 60 and the intersection thereof with full thickness cuts 61 and provided ready foldability in the region containing these four foldlines 65.

To convert slotted and scored blank 50 into a channel 25, the two major tabs 62 are folded upwardly normal to the blank 50 about the foldlines 63 in a manner shown in FIG. 13. Similarly, the minor tabs 64 are folded upwardly via foldlines 65. The lateral free edges 67 are thence bent upwardly and brought together and stapled, as at S, to fasten the two halves together at the places indicated in FIG. 12. The referred-to scores, perforated scores and the arrangement thereof cooperate with the upstanding major tabs 62 and the minor tabs 64 at each end in holding portions of the side walls of the channel spaced apart to define enclosure openings 70 as the free edges 67 are brought together to form the channel. As can be seen, the upstanding sets of tabs 62 and 64 as indicated, in cooperation with the surrounding score and cut score lines, prevent the side walls from assuming face-to-face relationship, as is the case with the remainder of the blank halves .52 and 53. Aneck channel member 25, shown fully erected in FIG. 12, will be described more fully hereinafter as to its interconnecting engagement with the tube channel member 24.

The tube channel members 24a, 24b,24c and 24d are each erected from a die-cut, scored and slotted blank 75 shown in knocked-down plan view in FIG. 6 and in various stages of folding and erection-in FIGS. 7-12. The blank 75 is formed of double wall corrugated board'and the corrugations are shown in the. cutaway portion 75a. Referring to FIG. 6, four parallel longitudinal score foldlines 76a, '76b, 76c and 76d separate side-by-sidepanels 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81. Panel 77 contains. six spaced, parallel score foldlines 82. In each case, the extremities of these score foldlines 82 are connected by an irregular full thicknesscut-outlining, together with the foldlines, six foldable flaps 83. The flaps are generally rectangular,- but have a T-shaped tab 84 formed on one .side. Also, the corners of the flaps 83 are truncated'in varying degrees, as at 85,-for a purpose to be described. Flaps 86-are foldably connected via foldline 87 to each end of the panel 77; each flap containing an axially extending. tab portion 88; Panel 78 contains two spaced. slots-89 which extend from foldlines 76a to foldlines 76b. Panel 79 is provided with six generally equal spaced T-shaped cutouts 90 which are generally in alignment with foldlines 82 in panel 77. Panel 79 also contains, proximate its end extremities, lateral slits 91 corresponding generally in size with tabs 88 formed on flaps 86. Panels 78 and 79 have formed, at their foldline intersection-76a,-threezspaced, generally elliptical, cutouts 92. Panel 80'contains three spaced T-shaped' slots 93 located in generally horizontal alignment with the center of the cutouts 92. Panels 79 and 80 are also provided near their line of separation, foldline 760, with two generally elliptically shaped cutouts 94, similar to cutouts 92 in panels 78 and79. These are generally in alignment with the slots 89 in panel 78. Panel 81 is provided with two spaced notches '95 in the free edges 95a ingeneral.alignment'with'the elliptical cutouts 94 in panels 80 and 79 and withtheslots 89 in panel 78. Panel 81 also contains six spaced rectangular cutouts 96 which provide access to the interior of the tube-like channels, when erected, for purposes of stapling the various wall parts together. Panel 81 has foldably connected to end extremities thereof flaps 96 which are foldable about foldlines 97. Panel 81 also includes flange portions 98 at each end and separated fromp'anel 80 by cuts 99. I

To convert the blank 75 intoerected channel configuration (e.g., bulb channels 24), the panels 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81 are folded'successively on the score lines 76a-76d in the manner illustrated in FIG.'7 through FIG. 12. Also, the flaps 83 and the flaps 86 are'foldedinwardly normal to the panel 77. As folding continues and the panel 78 is normal to panel 79 and panel 77 spaced from and about parallel with panel 79, the T-shaped tabs 84 are urged through the cutouts 90 in panel 79 which lock the panels 77, 78 and 79 together in tubular configuration (FIGS. 9 and 10). At the same time, the tabs 88 on flaps 86 at each end of panel 77 are brought normally downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 9, to engage and pass through the slits 91 at each end of panel 79. The construction, as viewed in FIG. 9, is then further folded on the foldlines 76c and 76d to bring panel 78 into normal relationship with panel 81. and panel 77 into face-to-face relationshipwith panel'81, as may be seen viewed through the cutout 92 (FIG. 11) or in the end view shown in FIG. 12. The panels 77 and 81 are stapled together, making use of the rectangular openings 96 which are in registry with the cut openings left by the movement of the flaps 83 downwardly out of the plane of the panel 77 to connect with panel 79 via T-sh-aped cutouts 84. The bulb channel 24, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, is in its upright position and adapted to be combined appropriately with the like bulb channels and neck channels 25 and located into the carton 21 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. It may be noted that the channel 24 in its upright position, as in FIG. 11, has three arcuate cutouts 92 in the side wall 79 and topwall 78, while the same side wall 79 and bottom wall -h-ave the two downwardly facing arcuate cutouts 94. Further, as viewed, the abutting panels 81 and 77 form one side wall of the bulb channel, while panel.79 forms the opposite spaced parallel side wall. Panel 78 is the top wall panel and panel 80' is the bottom wall of the channel. The T-shaped cutouts 93 in the bottom wall ultimately serve the same function as the slits 89 inthe top wall panel 7 8. They are T-shaped simply to provide access to the interior of the tubular channel asan aidin affixing staples to secure panel 77 to the panel 81.

With five neck channels 25 and four bulb channels 24 erected as described above, it is in order to describe the manner in which the carton 20, including its channel components, shell-likeenclosure and ten television bulbs, are assembled together. Reference should be had to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 in the following description. First, the carton enclosure (without channels) 21 is erected in the manner described, usually in combination with the pallet or skid 29. Next, the pad 22 is inserted down into the shell defined by the spaced side walls 36 and spaced end Walls 38 to rest on the bottom wall defined by the flaps 37 and 39, with the central upstanding ridge 45 in line with the longitudinal axis of the carton. Next, the three neck channel members 25a, 25b and 250 are pushed down into the slots 45a spaced along the length of the ridge 45 with the slits 54, 55- and 56 facing upwardly in the manner shown. These three slits define therebetween two prongs or tongues 55a and 55b. Similar tongues 58a and 59a are formed on the ends of the channels 25 by the slits 58 and 59. Next, two tube channel members 24b and 240 are placed in back-to-back relationship with the side walls defined by the panels 77 and 81 abutting. The two notches in each side wall will thus be in registry as will the two slots 89 in each adjoining top wall. Similarly, the three slots 93 in each bottom wall will be located proximate the three corresponding slots 93 in the abutting channel. This side-by-side, hand-held assembly ofthe two channels 24a and 24c is lowered down into the carton in bisecting relationship with the three neck channels 25a, 25b and 250. Engagement occurs as the upstanding tongues 55a and 55b on the neck channels 25a, 25b and 250 are received by the slots 93 in the side-by-side bottom walls of the tube channels 24b and 24c. FIG. 19 is an enlarged perspective view (looking upwardly) just prior to engagement of the upstanding tongues 55a and 55b on neck channel 25b with side-by-side center cutouts 93 in the bottom Walls of bulb channels 24a and 24b. FIG. 20 is similar to FIG. 19, but showing the relationship after engagement; the up standing prongs 55a and 55b being shown in dotted outline.

The slots 93, 54, 55- and 56 and tongues 55a and 55b are sized for frictional engagement lending rigidity and overall reinforcement to the carton construction. With the two abutting bulb channels located in engaging bisecting relationship with the three lowermost neck channels 25a, 25b and 25c, the carton enclosure is divided into two rows, each adapted to receive two television bulbs face down; that is, with the necks upstanding. One bulb 200 is shown in dotted outline in FIG. 1'.

In inserting the bulbs face down, the neck is bent slightly toward the center bulb channels so. that the funnel portion of the television bulb will slip underneath the arcute edge 94 formed in the side wall 79 and bottom wall 80 and then returned to a vertical position, as shown. When four bulbs have been located in face-down position, like the bulb 200," the two remaining bulb channels 24a and 24d are inserted down into the carton along the opposed side walls 36. The bulb channels 24a and 24d engage with the neck channels 25a, 25b and 250 as the end prongs 58a and 59a at each end of each of the neck channels project into the slots 93 in the bottom wall 80 7 of the bulb channels. As the bulb channels engage the neck channels, two downwardly facing arcuate cutout portions 94, in each, contact the funnel portion of the bulbs, providing'balanced contact therewith since the same contact occurs between the funnel and the center bulb channels 24b and 240.

The next step is to introduce the two remaining neck channels d and 25a, one at a time. These neck channels are first inverted with respect to the'other neck channels; that is, with the prongs a, 55b, 58a and 59a projecting downwardly and with the well-like opening or enclosures 70 (four) situated over the upstanding necks of the four bulbs already in the carton. Engagement of neck channel 25d occurs as tongues 58a, 55a, 55b and 59a project into slots 89 in each of the bulb channels 24a24d (see FIGS. 1 and 2). Similarly, neck channel 25a engages the bulb channels as the tongues 58a, 55a, 55b and 59a project downwardly through slots 89 in each. The engagement of the endmost neck channel tongue 58a or 59a with bulb channel slot 89 is shown in enlarged perspective in FIGS. 15 and 16, while'the engagement of the central neck channel tongues 55a and 5511 with bulb channel slots 89 is shown in FIGS. 17 land 18. As the tongues pass through the slots, the well-like chambers 70 (two in each neck channel) telescopically receive the ends of the neck portions of the four television bulbs already in the carton.

With these neck channels 25d and 25a in place, the necks of the television bulbs already in the carton are protected and the remaining television bulbs (six) can be introduced. Thus, three bulbs are located on one side of the center bulb channels 24b and 24c and three bulbs on the other. In so doing, the neck portions of the television tubes are guided downwardly into the well openings or enclosures 70 (six) formed in the three lower neck channels 25a, 25b and 250. At the same time, the funnel portion of the bulbs comes to rest in the opposing arcuate cutouts 92 in the spaced bulb channel sets 24a- 24b and 24c-24d. There are three sets of these facing arcuate cutouts 92 on the left-hand side of the carton as viewed in FIG. 1 and three sets of the facing arcuate portions on the right-hand side. Lastly, the corrugated pad 26 is laid down over the array of bulbs and the cap closure 27 is telescoped down about the side walls of the container proper 21 and secured thereto. It should be here mentioned that the corner cuts 85 on the flaps 83 are provided so the edges will not interfere with the fitting of the tubes down into the arcuate recesses 92 or 94.

Looking at FIG. 5, it can be seen that the adjacent tubes in each row (between bulb channels) are in inverted relationship with the neck portions protected protected against accidental contact with the faceplate or funnel portion of an adjacent television bulb. The television bulbs, which are rectangular, are also held relatively mobile against accidental shifting on their own axis by reason of the engagement of the funnel portion with the arcuate cutouts in the side walls of the bulb channels and, as well, by the arcuate cutouts in the top walls of the bulb channels.

It is also a particular feature of the present invention that the side walls of the bulb channels, which are flush with the side Walls of the carton, are of double thickness; that is, formed of the panels 81 and 77. Furthermore, they extend the full depth of the carton defined by the side wall 36 as to lend structural rigidity from top to bottom. Also contributing to this top-to-bottom strength are the end flaps 96 extending from the bulb channels 24a-24d which are bent into the plane of the adjacent wall and add particularly to corner strength, since these flaps extend from top to bottom of the carton 21. Also contributingin top-to-bottom strength is the feature of construction wherein the center of the carton is structurally supported by two bulb channels which have their double wall side walls (panels 77 and 81) in flush engagement and extending from top to bottom of the carton. The flange flaps 96, which are oppositely bent in channels 24b and 24c, also provide reinforcement in the center of the carton. These latter features are of importance since it is desirable to stack these cartons one on top of the other in shipping and in plant inventory.

The carton construction of this invention is very de- 'sirable since only two channel designs are necessary; thus simplifying production of the blanks and also facilitating assembly since the two channels are readily distinguishable, one from the other, and only the two types are needed. In the past, it has not been uncommon to find three and'four different types of carton components which hinder efiicient assembly, since a workmans selection of a wrong channel at a critical time can delay assembly and loading of the carton with televisionbulbs.

It will further be appreciated that the longitudinal dimension of the carton is reinforced against compression by'reason of the four bulb channels therein which are of tubular configuration and structurally rigid, particularly by reason of the fiaps' 83 engaging and structurally reinforcing the spaced side walls of each of the bulb channels.

l The width dimension of the carton is also reinforced by the five neck channels 25a-25e which, in turn, are reinforced by frictional tongue-slot engagement with the bulb channels.

It is an important feature of the present invention that the bulb channels are formed to define upwardly and downwardly facing arcuate cutouts in the wall portions; which cutouts are of a configuration to support both the underside of the funnel portion and, as well, the marginal side of the funnel portion whereby rotation of the television bulbs on their own axis is precluded. At the same time, the well-like chambers 70 formed in the neck channels are such as to permit some movement of the neck. Thus, it is and would be undesirable to hold the neck portion and the funnel portion absolutely relatively rigid since "any slight movement could cause breakage somewhere in the funnel portion or at the juncture of the neck portion with the funnel portion. The well-like enclosures in the neck channel are selected of a size as to permit some slight movement of the neck; yet it is restricted in the sense that it is prohibited from contacting the adjacent funnel portion of the next adjacent, inverted television bulb.

The carton of the present invention, by reason of the constructional features. contained therein as described above, is also extremely'useful since the tongue and slit arrangement provided by this design permits the channel members and the television bulbs therein to be quickly and safely disassembled for speedy unpacking.

In summary, the channel members, by reason of their inner engagement and interlocking, provide for essential isolation of adjacent, inverted television bulbs, one from the other, and at the same time provide inner reinforcing strength to the overall carton. All of the slots and cutouts are sized as to snugly and frictionally receive the wall portion of the engaging channel member.

Modifications maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container construction formed of relatively stiff, sheet-like material, said container being adapted for receiving and maintaining a plurality of television bulbs in inverted, noncontacting relationship with adjacent bulbs, said bulbs including a faceplate and a connected rearwardly projecting funnel portion terminating in an elongated tubular neck portion,

said construction including a shell-like enclosure comprising side, end and bottom walls and a removable closure therefor,

said construction including, within said enclosure, a plurality of elongated channel members, in spaced, three-dimensional array defining a plurality of adjacent spaces for supportingly maintaining television bulbs in inverted relationship with respect to adjacent bulbs. said channel members including a first group which extends from. end wall to end wall of said shell-like enclosure to reinforce same and which contains arcuate recesses supportingly receptive of the said funnel portion of the bulbs, and a second group defining enclosures for the said neck portions of said bulbs, said first and second group of channel members being perpendicular to each other, said second group of channel members extending from side wall to side wall of said shell-like enclosure to reinforce same, 7

said first and second group of channel members having slots and tongues formed therein providing mating engagement therebetween and consequent reinforce- 'ment of each group by the other together with overall reinforcement of the shell-like enclosure.

2. A container construction formed of relatively stiff, sheet-like materiahsaid container being adapted for receiving and maintaining a plurality of television bulbs in inverted, noncontacting relationship with adjacent bulbs, said bulbs including a faceplate and a connected rearwardly projecting funnel portion terminating in an elongated tubular neck portion,

said construction including a shell-like enclosure comprising side, end and bottom walls and a removable 1 closure therefor,

said construction including, within said enclosure, a

plurality of elongated channel members in spaced, three-dimensional array defining a plurality of adjacent spaces for supportingly maintaining television bulbs in inverted relationship with respect to adjacent bulbs, said channel members including a first group which extends from end wall to end wall of said shell-like enclosure to reinforce same and which contains arcuate recesses supportingly receptive of the said funnel portion of the bulbs, and a second group defining enclosures for the said neck portions of said bulbs, said first and second group of channel members being perpendicular to each other, said second group of channel members extending from sidewall to side wall of said shell-like enclosure to reinforce same, wherein said first group numbers four identical bulb channel members, two of which are arranged in flush engagement with said side walls of said shell-like enclosure and two of which are in flush back-to-back relationship along the longitudinal axis of said shelllike enclosure, said bulb channel members extending from the bottom wall to the upper edges of said end walls, said arrangement of bulb channels defining two parallel rows for location of television tubes.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second group includes five identical neck channel members, three of said neck channels being located in spaced, parallel relationship transverse to said bulb channels :and extending generally along the said bottom wall of said shelllike enclosure, two of said neck channels being in spaced, parallel relationship transverse to said bulb channels and extending generally along the top of said shell-like enclosure, said upper two neck channels being located respectively midway between said first and second lower neck channels and midway between said second and third lower neck channel members.

4. A container as claimed in claim 3 wherein said neck channels each comprise a one-piece, elongated planar sheet folded on its longitudinal axis in generally face-toface relationship but being slitted and scored to define two sets of adjacent foldable tabs bisected by said longitudinal axis, said tabs being foldable normal to the plane of said sheet prior to folding said sheet on its longitudinal axis so as to define spaced regions wherein said walls are held apart to define enclosures for neck portions of said tubes.

5. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bulb channel members each have connected side and top walls cut to define three spaced arcuate recesses, said three recesses in each bulb channel being in opposed facing relationship with like recesses in a bulb channel on the other side of the said row.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein said bulb channel side walls include segments which are vertically coextensive with the said side and end walls of said shelllike enclosure, thereby lending improved top'to-bottom strength in said enclosure.

7. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein said bulb channel members each have connected side and "bottom walls cut to define two spaced arcuate recesses, said two recesses in each bulb channel being in opposed facing relationship with like lower recesses -in an opposed tube channel, said two lower recesses being in oifset relationship midway respectively between the three upper recesses.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the second group of channel members include five identical neck channel members, three of said neck channels being in spaced parallel relationship transverseto said bulb channels and extending generally along thesaid bottom Wall of said shell-like enclosurevertically beneath the three upper arcuate recesses in said bulb channels, two of said neck channels being in spaced, parallel relationship transverse to said bulb channels and extending generally along the top of said shell-like enclosure directly above the two lower arcuate recesses in said bulb channels.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein said neck channels each define a pair of enclosures for the necks of a pair of television bulbs in different rows defined by said bulb channels.

10. A container for shipping a plurality of television bulbs with adjacent bulbs in inverted relationship, said container including:

an outer shell including side, end and bottom walls and a removable top closure,

said container including within said shell:

a pair of elongate bulb channels in spaced, parallel relationship extending along said bottom wall, said channels each including an upper portion and a lower portion, and

a plurality of three elongate neck channels in spaced, parallel relationship and extending transversely of said bulb channels, the two out er of said neck channels being located generally along one of said bottom and top Wall of said shell and the intermediate one of said channels being located generally along the other of said bottom and top wall of said shell,

said spaced bulb channels being cut away in the upper and lower portions to define three sets of opposed arcuate recesses in olfset relationship and supportingly receptive of the arcuate funnel portion of three side-by-side bulbs located invertedly therebetween,

said neck channels defining an enclosure guidingly receiving the neck portion of side-by-side inverted bulbs.

11. A container construction formed of relatively stiff, sheet-like material, said container being adapted for receiving and maintaining a plurality of television bulbs in inverted, noncontacting relationship with adjacent bulbs, said bulbs including a faceplate and a connected, rearwardly projecting funnel portion terminating in an elongated, tubular neck portion,

said construction including a shell-like enclosure comprising connected side, end and bottom walls and a removable closure therefor,

said construction including, within said enclosure:

a plurality of first channel members in spaced, parallel relationship and having upper edges and lower edges and a plurality of second channel members in spaced 1 1 a relationship norm-alto said first channel members, said channel members being generally parallel, respectively, to said side and end walls, ,1 two of said spaced first channel members includmg: i t

(a) a first set of opposed arcuate recesses in said upper edges supportingly receptive of the funnel portion of a bulb with its neck portion extending downwardly, (b) a second set of opposed arcuate recesses in said lower edges supportingly receptive of the funnel portion of a second bulb in a position inverted with respect to said bulb in said first set and (c) a third set of opposed arcuate recesses in said upper edges supportingly receptive of the funnel portion of a third bulb in the same relative position as the one maintained by said first set, said second channel members being located proximate the neck portions of said bulbs and including spaced wall portions defining an integral enclosure for said neck portions.

12. A containerconstruction as claimed in claim 11 wherein said first channel members include lateral toldable flaps which correspond to the height of said shelllike enclosures as defined between the bottom wall and the upper edge of said side and end walls thereof, and said lateral flaps are arranged in flush abutment with the end walls of said shell-like enclosure when erected.

, 13. A container for shipping a plurality of bulbs with adjacent bulbs in inverted relationship, said container including:

an outer shell,

a pair of elongate bulb channels in spaced, parallel relationship and extending from end-to-end of said shell, said channels each including an upper wall, a lower wall, facing side walls and outer side walls,

a plurality of three elongate neck channels in spaced, parallel relationship and extending transversely of said bulb channels, two of said neck channels being located generally in the plane of said bottom Wall of said bulb channels and one of said channels being located generally in the plane of said top wall of said bulb channel, said latter upper neck channel being midway between the two lower neck channels as viewed in a top plan view of said pack,

said facing and top walls of said parallel bulb channels being out way to define two spaced sets of arcuate recesses supportingly receptive of the arcuate funnel portion of two similarly disposed bulbs, said recesses being spaced to to provide room for an intermediate inverted bulb,

said two of said neck channels in the plane of the bottom wall each defining an upwardly opening enclosure guidingly receiving the neck portion of said two similarly disposed bulbs,

said facing and bottom walls of said parallel bulb channels beingcut away, in a region midway between said two lower neck channels, to define opposed arcuate recesses supportingly receptive of the arcuate funnel portion of said intermediate inverted bulb, and

said upper neck channel defining a downwardly opening enclosure guidingly receiving the neck portion of said inverted bulb.

14. A container as claimed in claim 13 wherein one of the said side walls of each of said bulb channels are cut to define a spaced plurality of foldable flaps extending normally from said side walls, and said opposite side walls of the same channel contain a plurality of cutouts, said flaps each including a tab extremity engaging said cutouts to lend structural rigidity to said channel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,725,291 8/1929 Moore 229-6 2,665,026 1/1954 Katzman 206 2,735,606 2/1956 Paige 229-14 WILLIAM T. DIXSON, JR., Primary Examiner. 

